The Happy Home Podcast with Arlene Pellicane

Gary Thomas (bestselling author of Sacred Marriage, Sacred Parenting) is back on the podcast to discuss his latest book, The Life You Were Reborn to Live: Dismantling 12 Lies About Remaining in God's Love. Gary challenges common parenting myths that Christians often fall into, and offers practical ways on how to live life God's way, not the world's.
Let's learn together how to create Christ-centered homes, prioritize God's kingdom over family idols, and embrace spiritual adventure over control.
05:21 - Creating a Christ-centered home (Colossians 3: compassion over conflict)
08:12 - Renewing your mind against worldly lies (Romans 12)
09:06 - Finding pride in spiritual growth over worldly success
14:25 - Why prioritizing God, even above family, is most important
21:53 - Being spiritually adventurous: The adventure Jesus calls us to
25:13 - Parenting on offense: Expecting God to use your kids
26:04 - Powerful testimony: When obedience can save a life
27:51 - Turning your "chair out" toward community
30:00 - Practical tips for isolated teens: Remove comforts, invite fellowship
Check out Gary's substack at connecttogary.com and buy his new book The Life You Were Reborn to Live anywhere books are sold. Find out more at garythomas.com.
More Resources from Arlene Pellicane:
SUBSCRIBE to Arlene's newsletter "What I'm Learning This Week" and get access to 12 free resources to help you as a parent.
Check out Arlene's BOOKS including Parents Rising, Screen Kids, and Making Marriage Easier.
Go to Arlene's YouTube Channel
Follow Arlene on Instagram and/or Facebook
How did Arlene's kids adapt to not having phones, video games or social media? Watch the free video, Screen Kids: In Their Own Words.
Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Want to invite Arlene to speak to your group? Email [email protected]
Not sure about a smartphone for your child? Check out the Gabb Wireless phone for kids and teens (use the promo code ARLENE).
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Justin Whitmel Earley, bestselling author of The Body Teaches the Soul, is very familiar with the consequences of ignoring the body. As a young lawyer, he collapsed into anxiety and insomnia. He learned that the healthy and unhealthy habits shaping his life weren't physical or spiritual; they were spiritual AND physical. Justin reveals why the body isn't separate from the soul—it's an important part of loving God.
Tune in for practical wisdom on topics like: Why we can't stop eating the whole box of cookies, why social media leaves us feeling rage and jealousy, and why exercise might be the most spiritual thing you do all week.

02:31 Justin's Mental Health Collapse & Discovery
08:36 Don't Ignore or Idolize the Body
12:51 Food: From Indulgence/Shame to Dependence/Delight
21:13 Technology & The Embodiment Ladder
28:29 How to Use Exercise as Spiritual Training

Find out more about Justin Whitmel Earley and his book The Body Teaches the Soul at justinwhitmelearley.com and on Instagram @justinwhitmelearley.
More Resources from Arlene Pellicane:
SUBSCRIBE to Arlene's newsletter "What I'm Learning This Week" and get access to 12 free resources to help you as a parent.
Check out Arlene's BOOKS including Parents Rising, Screen Kids, and Making Marriage Easier.
Follow Arlene on Instagram and/or Facebook
Go to Arlene's YouTube Channel
How did Arlene's kids adapt to not having phones, video games or social media? Watch the free video, Screen Kids: In Their Own Words.
Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Want to invite Arlene to speak to your group? Email [email protected]
Not sure about a smartphone for your child? Check out the Gabb Wireless phone for kids and teens (use the promo code ARLENE)

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Host Arlene Pellicane welcomes back bestselling author Amber Lia alongside her teenage son Ollie for an inspiring conversation about their new devotional, You Are Seen: 90 Devotions to Encourage Stressed Teens.
Ollie opens up about his freshman-year battles with depression, anxiety, and perfectionism after a major life transition, offering a real-life view of what your kids may be going through. Together with Amber, they reveal faith-centered strategies—like the 5-4-3-2-1 technique, box breathing, scripture memorization, and surrendering to God's plan—that helped him find peace and purpose. From miraculous physical healing (Ollie's torn rotator cuff) to building family support systems involving dads and siblings, this duo offers hope and actionable advice for parents and teens navigating mental health struggles --all in this episode.

05:09 | Ollie's Story: Freshman-Year Struggles with Anxiety, Depression, and Transition
07:58 | Amber's View: Spotting Anxiety in Teens and Starting Empathetic Conversations
10:42 | The Turning Point: Counseling, Spilling It All, and Building Trust
12:10 | Practical Tool: The 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique to Stop the Anxiety Spiral
15:08 | Solo Strategies for School: Box Breathing, Prayer, and Sensory Grounding
19:45 | Real-Life Wins: Texting Mom for Support and Mapping the Day
20:16 | Tackling Perfectionism: Why Teens Compare and How Faith Shifts the Mindset
24:37 | Testimony of Healing: Ollie's Miraculous Rotator Cuff Recovery
27:46 | Dad's Role: Building Bonds, Mentoring, and Asking "What's Going On?"
30:43 | Sibling Support and Navigating Quality Time for All Kids

Connect with Ollie on Instagram @walkin.with.ollie.
Connect with Amber on Instagram @therealamberlia and on amberlia.com.
Pick up a copy of their new devotional, You Are Seen.
More Resources from Arlene Pellicane:
SUBSCRIBE to Arlene's newsletter "What I'm Learning This Week" and get access to 12 free resources to help you as a parent.
Check out Arlene's BOOKS including Parents Rising, Screen Kids, and Making Marriage Easier.
Go to Arlene's YouTube Channel
Follow Arlene on Instagram and/or Facebook
How did Arlene's kids adapt to not having phones, video games or social media? Watch the free video, Screen Kids: In Their Own Words.
Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Want to invite Arlene to speak to your group? Email [email protected]
Not sure about a smartphone for your child? Check out the Gabb Wireless phone for kids and teens (use the promo code ARLENE).

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Bestselling author and beloved pastor Max Lucado returns to the Happy Home to talk about his latest book, Tame Your Thoughts: Three Tools to Renew Your Mind and Transform Your Life. Drawing from Scripture and personal stories, Max shares how you can manage negative thought patterns (even if you've carried it around for years).
Perfect for parents, you'll learn how to battle anxiety personally and how to help your kids, especially in this world of constant digital noise. On today's episode, you'll learn:
1:00 The importance of thought management
2:20 Tool #1: Practice picky thinking
10:00 The helmet of salvation does this
13:50 UFO: Untruth, False Narrative, Overreaction
17:10 Even Max's dog can apply the UFO
21:00 How Scripture meditation uproots untruths
WATCH THE VIDEO on YOUTUBE
Max Lucado is a bestselling author with more than 150 million books in print. He's a teaching pastor at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, TX. He and his wife Denalyn have three grown daughters, three sons-in-law, and four grandchildren.
Learn more about Max Lucado and his book Tame Your Thoughts

More Resources from Arlene Pellicane:
SUBSCRIBE to Arlene's newsletter "What I'm Learning This Week" and get access to 12 free resources to help you as a parent.
Check out Arlene's BOOKS including Parents Rising, Screen Kids, and Making Marriage Easier.
Follow Arlene on Instagram and/or Facebook
Go to Arlene's YouTube Channel
How did Arlene's kids adapt to not having phones, video games or social media? Watch the free video, Screen Kids: In Their Own Words.
Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Want to invite Arlene to speak to your group? Email [email protected]
Not sure about a smartphone for your child? Check out the Gabb Wireless phone for kids and teens (use the promo code ARLENE).


Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Visit donate.accessmore.com and give today to help fund more episodes and shows like this.



Need help understanding your neurodivergent child? Maybe your child has ADHD, autism, or another challenge. Author Kim Botto is here to give us the gift of understanding this Christmas. She knows how to create spaces where every child feels heard, valued, and loved. She's the author of Boundless Hope for Every Child and specializes in trauma-informed, disability ministry at home and in the church.
On today's episode, you'll learn:
2:30 How to understand the needs behind your child’s big behavior
4:20 Helpful correction strategies that actually work
7:20 What steps to take in order to establish a routine
12:00 Why making your kids feel safe is so important
18:50 Don’t be afraid to go back to church, even with a neurodivergent child
23:40 How to encourage your kids by speaking to their potential
27:30 How screen time affects kids with ADHD or autism
Kim Botto has worked with children and teens for over three decades through churches, schools, nonprofits, and adoption and foster care initiatives. She has a Masters in Family Ministry and is a frequent speaker on trauma, disability, and neurodivergence.
Learn more about Kim Botto, her podcast Every Child Belongs, and her book, Boundless Hope for Every Child on her website https://kimbotto.com/
Subscribe to Arlene's newsletter "What I'm Learning This Week" and get the 25 Days of Christmas activity and devotional guide. https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe
How did Arlene's kids adapt to not having phones, video games or social media? Watch the free video, Screen Kids: In Their Own Words. https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/film

Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Please email Arlene your questions and the topics you want covered on the show! Email speaking @ arlenepellicane.com
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.